Maryruth: Building a Safer Future

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 16:25:02 +0000

Maryruth: Building a Safer Future sierra-chacona… Mon, 02/02/2026 - 11:25

Maryruth Moore had already secured a protection order against her husband when she decided she wanted to permanently separate. She wanted a divorce and more importantly, custody of her four children.

Meet Maryruth

Maryruth and her four children survived terrible abuse by her ex. After navigating the courts and securing a protection order on her own, she filed for divorce and custody of her kids. But the process quickly became overwhelming as her husband refused to cooperate, filing unnecessary paperwork and forcing her to relive past trauma. All the while, Maryruth and her children were living with disabilities caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. Her brain injury made navigating the legal system especially challenging. She turned to Alaska ��è��Ƶ (A��è��Ƶ) for help. With their help, Maryruth secured her divorce, sole custody of her children, and protections around any contact with their father. But her attorneys didn’t stop there. A��è��Ƶ also helped her family protect their Medicaid eligibility so they could continue receiving the medical care they needed. Today, Maryruth and her children are safe and rebuilding their lives with stability and security.

Domestic violence cases are rising for ��è��Ƶ grantees.

Since 2014, the number of cases involving domestic violence ��è��Ƶ grantees close has increased by 48%.

Learn More About ��è��Ƶ's Commitment to Domestic Violence

Learn About Alaska

Learn about the civil legal needs impacting the state of Alaska.

Learn About Alaska

Learn About Alaska ��è��Ƶ

Learn about ��è��Ƶ grantee, Alaska ��è��Ƶ.

Learn About Lakeshore Legal Aid

Domestic Violence Family Law

Pierre: Single Father Regains Custody of His Son

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 20:30:22 +0000

Pierre: Single Father Regains Custody of His Son sierra-chacona… Wed, 03/26/2025 - 16:30

A single father’s life was changed by ��è��Ƶ-funded legal aid, helping him regain custody of his son and inspiring him to pursue a career in law to help others.

Meet Pierre

Pierre Cordero's life was changed by Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) after his ex tried to keep his young son away from him. Pierre, whose father left when he was young, was determined to be a positive presence in his son’s life. Struggling as a single father, Pierre could not afford a private attorney and was navigating the complex legal system alone. He discovered LAFLA's self-help center while in court, and a staff member helped guide him through the legal process to a successful outcome, with Pierre regaining custody of his child. This experience inspired Pierre to become a lawyer himself. After putting himself through law school, Pierre joined the staff at LAFLA, where he now helps others in similar situations. His story highlights how legal aid can transform lives and create a ripple effect of positive change. 

Watch on YouTube

5+ million people are served each year through ��è��Ƶ-funded legal aid.

In 2023, ��è��Ƶ Grantees served over 5.2 million people, including 1.9 million who resolved housing, family or other life-changing legal problems.

Learn More About ��è��Ƶ's Impact

Learn About California

Learn about the civil legal needs impacting the state of California.

Learn About California

Learn About the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles

Learn about the ��è��Ƶ grantee, the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles.

Learn About LAFLA

Family Law

California